Raman spectroscopy as a novel tool for fast characterization of the chemical composition of perivascular adipose tissue.

One of the new targets of untapped therapeutic potential is perivascular adipose tissue (pVAT). pVAT releases a plethora of pro- and anti-inflammatory agents and is involved in the inflammatory response of the vascular wall, playing a key role in various cardiovascular pathologies. Both fiber optic Raman spectroscopy with a high-spatial resolution probe and Raman microscopy were applied to study various types of adipose tissue with the emphasis on pVATs of the thoracic and abdominal aorta and the mesenteric artery, as well as epididymal and interscapular adipose tissue for comparison.